CRAWFORD/KEELEY: WOLF PACK SIGN ZACH TOLKINEN TO PTO 

Former Quinnipiac University Defenseman Has 12 Points in 33 Games with Maine of ECHL

BY: Bob Crawford, Hartford Wolf Pack

HARTFORD, January 31, 2019:  Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Chris Drury announced today that the Wolf Pack has signed defenseman Zach Tolkinen to a Professional Tryout (PTO) agreement.

This is the second stint on the Wolf Pack roster for Tolkinen.  He did not see any action on an earlier PTO, which he signed January 19 and from which he was released later that same night.  A fifth-year pro out of Quinnipiac University, Tolkinen has skated in 33 games this season with the Wolf Pack’s ECHL affiliate, the Maine Mariners, notching one goal and 11 assists for 12 points and serving 19 minutes in penalties.  The 6-3, 190-pound native of Lino Lakes, Minnesota has played in a total of 297 ECHL games in his career, with the Elmira Jackals, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush, Wheeling Nailers, and the Mariners, amassing 15 goals and 56 assists for 71 points, along with 214 PIM.

Prior to turning pro, the 29-year-old Tolkinen played four years at Quinnipiac, suiting up for 135 career games and registering nine goals and 38 assists for 47 points, plus 151 penalty minutes.

The Wolf Pack’s first action after the AHL All-Star break is tomorrow night, Friday, February 1, when they travel to Springfield to take on the Thunderbirds.  Faceoff is 7:05 PM and all the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 AM, and 100.9 FM, WPOP, and online at newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at theahl.com/AHLTV.

The next Wolf Pack home game is this Saturday night, February 2, a 7:00 PM game vs. the Rochester Americans.  That is “‘90’s Throwback Night”, featuring a fanny pack giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by ProHealth Physicians.

Tickets for all 2018-19 Wolf Pack home games are on sale now at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, online at hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Tickets purchased in advance for kids 12 or younger start at just $13 each, and all tickets will have a $3 day-of-game increase.

Season ticket information for the Wolf Pack’s 2018-19 AHL season can be found online at hartfordwolfpack.com.  To speak with a representative about all of the Wolf Pack’s many attractive ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.

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KEELEY: TOLKINEN LOANED TO HARTFORD FOR THE SECOND TIME

Mariners captain makes second AHL trip this month

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME – January 31, 2019 – Follow the Mariners’ 3-1 loss in Reading on Wednesday night, veteran defenseman Zach Tolkinen was loaned to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. It is the second time this month that the Mariners captain heads to Hartford. He was initially loaned on January 19th, but did not appear in a game and was returned the following day.

The 29-year-old Tolkinen signed with the Mariners in early July after playing the 2017-18 season under Riley Armstrong with the Wheeling Nailers. Since turning pro in 2014-15, Tolkinen has played for five ECHL teams (Elmira, Missouri, Rapid City, Wheeling, and Maine), suiting up in 293 career games. Known for his stay-at-home defensive style, Tolkinen’s best offensive year was his rookie season when he had five goals and 14 assists with the Elmira Jackals and played in all 72 games. This season for the Mariners, Tolkinen has one goal and 11 assists in 33 games.

A native of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Tolkinen played two seasons at Centennial High School, two in the NAHL for Owatonna and Fairbanks, and four years of Division I hockey at Quinnipiac University before turning pro. On October 11th, 2018, Tolkinen was named the first captain in Mariners franchise history.

Tolkinen skated in warm-ups before Hartford’s game vs. Springfield on January 19th, but did not appear in the game. He was returned to Maine the next day. The Wolf Pack are at Hartford tomorrow night and host Rochester on Saturday.

The Mariners are in Manchester tomorrow at 7 PM before returning home for a meeting with the Adirondack Thunder on Saturday, February 2nd. It’s “Women in Sports Night” presented by the Maine Sports Commission. The first 2,000 fans through the gate will also receive a Grocery Tote Bag, presented by Townsquare Media. Game time is 6:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersofMaine.com or by visiting or calling the Trusted Choice Box Office: 207-775-3458.